Rotary blower.



i. H. SPENCER.

ROTARY BLOWER. v APPLICATION FILED SEPT.18. i815.

1,988,728.- Patented 1M. 3- 1915.

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I. H. SPENCER.

ROTARY BLOWER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I8, 1915 1 ,288 Patented Dec; 24, 1918.

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IRA H. SPENCER, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE SPENCER TURBINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFCONNECTICUT.

ROTARY BLOWER.

mon shaft, and anobject of my invention,.

among others. is the production of a blower that shall be extremelystrong in'its construction and able to withstand the strains incident tohigh peripheral speeds.

One form of device embodying my invention and in the construction anduse of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may beattained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1is a view in side elevation of a blower ei-nbodying my'invention, thestructure being partially broken away in centra vertical section to showconstruction.

Fig. 2 is a face view of one of the blower sections looking in thedirection of the arrow shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a detail view, scale enlarged, of a portion of the shell andof one of the blower sections, the latter being partially cut away incentral section to show construction. and a portion of the section beingbroken out.

My ihvention is of particular value in connection with fans ,foreffecting changes in air pressures for different purposes, it being myintention to provide. a structure with which the desired results may beattained by rotating the fans at a minimum speed as compared with theperipheral speed thereof, that is, the fans being made large in diameterto produce the required peripheral speed and the construction being suchthat they will readily withstand the strains incident to this highperipheral speed.

The term blower has been used herein be muse it is a name commonly givento devices of this class, nevertheless the invention will be understoodto exist in a structure whether it be used to raise pressures forcertain purposes or to reduce them.

In the accompanying drawings the numorals 5 and 6 indicate the sectionsof a blower shell or case, that is composed of sheet metal, round incross section, and supported in any suitable manner, as upon crossSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 24, 1918.

Application filed September 18, 1915 Serial No. 51,417.

pieces 7. Rings it closely tit the, outer surface of the main section '5of the shell at each end thereof and are secured thereto in any suitablemanner, as shown herein, these rings being of L-shape in cross sectionwith bolts extending through the flanges and through end plates 910 tosecure them in place. A second ring is employed surrounding the meetingends of the main and motor sections 5 and 6, respectively, of the shell,the two rings at this point being bolted together to clamp the end plate10 between them. The end plates 9 and 10 are each provided with a lip 36of a depth to 'inclose one of the surrounding rings and also inclose agasket to be hereinafter described. An inlet port 11 and an exhaust port12 are formed through the plates 9 and 10 respectively, and a motor 13is supported in any suitable manner in the motor section (3 of theshell. Gaskets 14 are clamped between the end plates and rings, as shownin Fig. l of the drawings, to prevent leaking at these joints.

The parts directly inclosing the fans and constituting the air passagesare made up in sections closely fitting the interior of the shell, aswell as each other. Each section includes a division plate 15, adiffusion plate l( 5, diffusion vanes 17 and spacers 18. Each divisionplate 15 has a flange comprising an offset part 1.9 closely fitting theinterior of the shell 5 and a reduced part 20 of lesser diameter thanthe offset part to create a packing space 21 between the periphery ofthe reduced part and the inner wall of the shell. Each of the spacers18, of ring shape, has one edge secured, as by welding, to one face of adivision plate 15, the outer surfaces of said ring resting against theinner surface of the wall formed by the reduced part 20 of the flange ofsaid division plate, this constituting a particularly efficient meansfor securing a strong joint. The opposite edge of each spacer isprovided with an inturned lip 22 that rests against the outer face of adivision plate in the next and adjacent section. Each diffusion plate 16is smaller in diameter than the interior diameter of the spacers 18 toprovide a passage 'for air around the edge of each of said plates, and alip 23 is formed on the outer edge of each diflusion plate and againstwhich the outer ends of the diffusion vanes 17 abut. These diffusionvanes are of curved form and they are disposed as shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawlugs, which is a construction common to blowers of this type.

In order topreserve the peripheral speed of the fans and yet rotate themat a slower speed, tllB'Cllflll'lGtQl oi the fans and hence of theentire structure, must be increased to compensate for the slowerrotation, the dia- .liXlCtll. dimensions depending upon the lttle'Olirotation, that is, the slower the rate of rotation the greater thediameter of the fans and shell. j

In order to secure lightness in construction and hence reduce the powerrequired f for operation as well as to simplify the construction, it isdesirable that the structure shall be of sheet metal, but a structurecomposed of sheet metal shaped as in structures heretofore employed,when" exceeding certain dimensions, becomes so flexible and unstable asto be practically inoperative. It

\ is to overcome these objections and to enable the use of an extremelylarge sheet metal structure, the fans of which can be rotated at thedesired high rate of speed, that I have invented the improved blowerforming the subject matter of this applica tion.

In order to obtain this rigidity of struc/ ture I indent or dish boththe division and diffusion plates as denoted by the numerals 2d and 25,each pair of said plates located near each other being dished inopposite directions and the dish shaped portions being substantially ofthe same diameter. This provides an extremely still and rigid structuresullicient to successfully withstand any liability to twist or weave inthe operation of: the device and this rigidity is in creased by theconstruction of the flanges with oifset and reduced parts on. thedivision plates and the lips on the outer edges of thespacers, diliusionand end plates, it being observed that these strengthening features ineach instance serve a plurality of purposes, as follows:

T he dishing of the division and diffusion plates as described providesa space ofindishing of the'plates above described also rovides fanchambers 28 between-the divisionand ditl'usion plates within which Theoffset parts of tansfll) are located. t e flanges at the peripher at thedivision ates provides a space for paclnngs'SQ as 11 stiilening featurefor said The lipsl23 on the edges of the spacers provide; a substantialsurface to receive the l plates resting against them and the lips 36 ,atthe periphery of the plates serve t0 ,inclose the rings and gaskets aswell as to stiller; this plate.

Rivets 27 are passed through the division and ditl'uswn plates at properintervals to secure the parts firmly together. The fans are secured to ashaft 30 mounted in any suitable niai' ner within the shell, said shaftbeing secured to the motor shaft at one end and having a bearing in ahousing 31 of any suitable construction and secured to the end plate 9.Each of the end plates 9 and is also of dish shaped construction asshown. in Fig. l. of the drawings, to increase the rigidity of thestructure, and as a further means of securing this result the open ingsatthe center of these end plates and through which the shaft extends areclosed by dish shaped plates 33 and iii pret erably of a little thickermetal than the sheet netal comprising the structure as a whole. In orderto strengthen the case at this point, a spider construction en'ibodyingthe plates 33 and 3% is employed, this construction constituting rin s35 resting against theinner end plates that occupy the same position inthe end sections as do the division plates in the other sections andsupported by posts or struts 37, preferably integral with the rings andwith rims 38 of the closingplates; The construction secures e2;- treinerigidity at the end of the case and the dish shaped inner and outer endplates provide the inlet and exhaust chambers and 10 between. each pairoi said plates.

Heretofore in the operation of blowers of this class, heat, due to thefrictional resist ance to flow thnough the case, and also to to keep thetemperature reduced by making use of the spaces between the blowersections and shell or case to contain a circulat ing and cooling mediumas water. The joints between the inturnrd lips and the abutting divisionplates are made water tight, as are also theother joints between theparts 19 and 2.0 of the flanges on the division plates and the case andspacers re spectively; Circulating pipts ll and 42 are locatedpreferably on diaini tricall y opposite sides ofthe case with branchesl3 extending into each of the water chambers l-lyand stop-eocks orvalves d5 are provided for each ofthe chambers to regulate the how ofwater. In the construction shown herein, radiator 46 is suitablyconnected with the pipes 4:1 and 42, and a supply pipe 4?" is connectedwith the cooling systen'i and has a valve 48 that controls the deliveryof the water to the system. A waste pipe 49 tends from the tail end ofthe system and contains a waste valve'fi. By closing the valves 48 and50 the water or cooling medium may be circulated over' and over throughthe system. and it may be renlen-- oppositely positioned and securedtogether,

ished whenever desired as by opening the valves 48 and 5.0, and bykeeping these valves open fresh water may be circulated through thesystem, in this event the valve 51 betweenthe pipe 42 and radiator-beingclosed.

The heating of the shell is greater near the exhaust end of the casethan at the inlet end, and the valves 45 may be used to regulate theflow to meet this condition, a greater amount of water being permittedto flow through the chhmber at the exhaust end than at the, inlet end ofthe shell, but various arrangements of the pipes and mlvesmay beemployed, and the entire con 'struction may be varied to a greater orlesser degree and yet be within the spirit and in tent of the invention,and I do not, therefore, limit my ini'ention to the exact constructionherein shown and described.

I claim- 1'. A blower section con'iprisingtwo plates diffusion vanessecured between said plates, a spacer secured to one of said plates andsurrounding the other plate at a distance from its edge, said memberscomprising an integral structure, a shaft extending through the centerof said section, and fans secured to saidshaft.

2, A blower section comprising two plates oppositely positioned andsecured together, difi'usion vanes secured between said plates,

a spacer secured to one of said plates and surrounding the other plateat a distance from its edge, said parts comprising an intcgralstructure, a shell surrounding and in closing said sections, a shaftextending through the center of the structure, and fans secured to saidshaft,

3. A plural number of blower sections each comprising two platesoppositely positioned and secured together, diliusion vanes securedbetween the plates in each section, a spacer secured to one, of theplates in each section and surrounding the other plate thereof atadistance from its edge, a shell surrounding and inclosing saidsections, a shaft extendingthrough the center of said structure, andfans secured to said shaft.

4. A blower; comprising a sectional shell, 1 a plate extending acrossthe interior of the shell and located between the meeting edges of thesections, rings surrounding the shell at the meeting edges of thesections, and fastening means projecting through the rings and plate tosecure them together.

A blower comprising a sectional shell, a plate extending-across theinterior of the shell and located between the meeting edges of thesections, rings surrounding the shell at the meeting edges of thesections, a gas ket located between the rings and against said plate,and means projecting through the rings, and plates to secure themtogether.

(3. A blower comprising a sectional shell,

. a plate extending across the interior of the shell to constitute anend wall of a section thereof, said plate being located between themeeting edges of the sections, a plate located within the shell andagainst the first mentioned plate, a gasket located against the firstmentioned plate, rings surrounding the shell at the meeting edges of thesections and located. upon opposite sides of the first.

mentioned plate and gasket, and means projecting through. said rings andplate to secure the parts together.

7, A, blower comprising a sectional shell, a plate extending across theinterior of the shell and located between the meeting edges "of thesections, said plate having a periphof the sections, said plate having aperiphoral lip, a ring surrounding one section of the shelladjacent tosaid meeting edges; within the boundary of said lip, and meansprojecting through the ring and plate' to secure them together. i I

I 9. A blower comprising a sectional shell, a plate extending across theinterior of the shell and located between the meeting edges of thesections, said plate having a'peripherai lip, a gasket located withinand surrounded by said lip, rings surrounding the meeting edges of thesections, one of said rings being bounded by saidlip, and meansprojecting through the rings and plate to secure them together.

10. A blower including a shell, a blower scctionlocated within the shelland inch a plate having a peripheral flange comprising two parts, one ofwhich, the outer, enlarged offset part fits the inner surface of theshell, said plate forming one wall of a fan chamber, a /fan locatedWithin said chamber, and a shaft to which said fan is secured.

11. A blower including a shell, ablower sect-ion located within theshell and including a plate having a peripheral flange with an enlargedofisct portion fitting the inner surface of the shell and creating aspace between said flange and Shell, a fluid packing located withinsaid. space, said plate formthe shell and a dish shaped portion near,the center thereof constituting one wall of a fan chamber, a fanlocated within said chamber, and a shaft to which said fan is secured.

13. A blower includin a shell, plates disposed in pairs, each mem r of apair forming one wall of a fan chamber, a spacer appurtenant to eachpair of plates and having a lip resting against a plate of one of saidpairs of plates, :1 fan located within said chamber, and a shaftto whichsaid fan is secured.

14. A blower including a shell, a number of blower sections of similarconstruction-located within the shell, each section including twoplates, each of which plates forms one wall of a fanchamber, a spacerhaving a lip resting against aplate of one of said sections, a fanlocated within the fan chamber,

and a shaft to which said fan is secured.

15) A blower including a shell, a number of blower sections of similarconstruction located within the shell, each section including two platesififih of which plates forms one wall of a fan chamber, a spacerappurtenant to one of said plates and having an inturned lip restingagainst a plate .of one of said sectlons, a fan located within thefan'chamber, and ashal't to which said fan is secured.

16. A blower including'a shell, a number of plates located within saidshell and including a pair of plates each of which forms one wall of afan chamber, a spacer'appurtenant to one'of said platcsand secured in-contact therewith, said spacer being posi tioned to rest againstanother plate'of similar construction to one of said pair of plates. afan located within the fan chamber, and a shaft to which said fan issecured.

17. A blower including a shell, a blower section located within theshell and including aplate having a peripheral flange with an enlargedofiset portion fitting the inner surface of the. shell, a diffusionplate secured to the first mentioned plate and hav ing a peripheral lip,diffusion vanes secured between said plates and abutting againt saidvlip. one of said plates formin one wall'of a fan chamber, a fan locatedwithin said chamber, and a shaft to which said fan is secured.

18. A blower including a shell, a blower section located within theshell and including a plate having a peripheral flange with an enlargedoffset portion fitting the inner surface of the shell and its centralportion being dished, a diffusion plate secured to the first mentionedplate and having its central portion dished, said diffusion plate havinga peripheral flange -diiiusion vanes located between said plates andwith their edges lengthwise thereof shaped to fit the surfaces of saidplates, one ofsaid plates forming a wall of a fan chamber, a fan locatedwithin said chamber, and a shaft to which said fan is secured. I v

19. A blower including a shell, a blower section located within theshell and including a. ilate having a peripheral flange, with an enarged ofi'set portion fitting the inner surface of the shell, a spacerhaving one edge secured within the snialler said flange and with itsopposite. e ge shaped into .a 1i to rest against an opposing surface, aifiusion plate, diffusion-vanes secured between said plates, one ofwhich plates forms one wall of a fan chamber, a fan located within saidchamber, and .a shaft to which said fan is secured.

20. A blower including a shell, a blower section located within theshell and includmg a plate having a peripheral flange with an enlargedofiset portion fittin the inner surface of the shell, a spacer iavingone edge secured within the smaller part of said flange and with itsouter edge having a lip to rest against an opposing surface. a diffusionplate --having a peripheral lip, diffusion vanes having their edgesformed to fit the facing surfaces of said plates, and the ortlon of.

ends of said vanes abutting against said lips and one of saidplates'forming a wall of a fan chamber, a fan locatcdwithin saidchamber, and a shaft to" which said fan is secured. a

21. A blower including a shell, a blower section located within theshell and including a plate having a peripheral flange with an enlargedoffset )ortion fitting the inner surface of the shell, a spacer havingone edge secured within the smaller portion of said flange and itsopposite end having a lip to rest against'an opposing surface, a

diffusion plate having a peripherallip, each of said plates being dishedat their central V them, one of said plates being dished to increase itsrigidity, struts supporting the thrust of said plates one against theother, a shaft extending lengthwise within the shell, and fans securedto said shaft.

23. A blower including a shell, an end plate extending across the shell,said plate being dished to increase its rigidity, an inner plate spacedfrom said and plate within the.

shell to form. a circulating chamber between them, struts supporting thethrust of said iao asso sis shaft extending lengthwise within the shell,

and a fan secured to said shaft.

A blower inc-hiding a shell. an end plate extending across the shell atone end thereof, an inner plate spaced from said end plate within theshell to form a circulating chamber between them, both of said platesbeing dished to increase their rigidity, struts supporting lhe thrust ofsaid plates one against the other. a shaft extending lengthwise withinthe shell, and-a fan secured to said shaft.

26. A blower including a shell. an end plate extending across the shell.an inner plate having an opening at its center and spaced within theshell from said end plate to form a circulatingchamber between them. oneof said plates being dished to increase il's rigidity, a ringsurrounding said central opening, struts extending between said ring andend plate and supporting" the thrust. of one against the other. a shaftextending, lengthwise within the shelh and fans secured to said shaft.

27. L\. blower including a. shell. an end plate extending across theshell and having a central opening. an inner plate having an opening atits center and spaced within the shell from said end plate to form acirculatinn chamber between them. one of said plates being dished toincrease its rigidity. a plateolosing the central opening in the endplate. struts extending; from said end plate and ljllIUStlflQflgIfllllStthe inner "plate :uljaront to its central opening. a shaft extendinglengthwise Within the shell. and

fan secured to said shaft.

28. It blower including a shell, an end plate extending across the shelland having a. central opening, an inner plate having a central openingand spaced within the shell from said end. plate to form a circulatingchamber between them, one 01 said "plates being dished to increase itsrigidity, a plate closing the central opening in the end plate, a ringsurrounding the opening through the inner plate. struts extendingbetween said. plates to support tie 'llllI'llSll of one against theother, a shaft extending lengthwise Wil'hin the shell, and. a. tansecured to said. shaft.

29. A. nninher of blower sections, of similar construction and eaincluding twoplates oppositely positions. and sec 'ired to gctlicr.diffusion vanes FOCR'UGiil between said plates. a spacer secured to oneof said plates and surrounding the other plate at a dis lance 'from itsedge, said members comprising an integral structure. a shaft extendingthrough the center of the sections. and fans secured. to said shaft.

30. A'hlo'wer including a shell. plates an ranged in sections extendinglengthwise of the shell, said sections each including a. pair of plateseach plate of which forms one wall. of a :tan chamber, spacers locatedupon opposit-e sides oi one of said plates. a fan lorated within 'tliechamber, was shaft to which said fan secured.

31. .l blower inclnding shell. :i-n'umher of plates arranged in s ctionsdisposed lengthwise of and within the shell. each section in-- eluding:a pair of plates each of which plates forms a portion ol a fan chamber,one of salt. plates being larger in diameter than the other. a spacerlocated on one side of said larger plate. and another spacer having alip resting; against the opposite side of said larger plate.

3:2. A blower including a shell. s number ol sections spaced apartWithin and lengthwise ol' the shell. each setion comprising; two platesoppositely disposed and each forming a portion of a tan chamber. one being: largcrin diameter than the other and the other having a. lip at itsperiphery. dilit'nsion nines secured between said plates and within theboundary of said lip. and a spacer inclosing said smaller plate and withits intnrncd edge resting; against. the surface ofl'lie larger plate ofan adjacent section. a shaft extending: through the center of the shell.and fans secured to said shaft.

IRA. H. SPENGER.

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